There is a required workbook for the course. Get it as soon as you can because it will help you complete your projects:
Processing: A Programming Handbook
for Visual Designers and Artists by
Casey Reas and Ben Fry. It's available in the school bookstore and Amazon.com

Note that Processing doesn't require special installation. When working at a computer in lab 634 choose the download link that says "Windows" do NOT choose the download link that says "Windows (without Java)". Here's the download link: www.processing.org/download/

It is perfectly fine to copy, paste, and modify code you find online. In fact, that's the best way to first learn how to program. However, be sure you really play with the code and change it so it is yours. In other words, do not plagiarize or pass off other people's code as your own.

Processing is a programming environment made for artists and designers to learn how to code. The programs you create in it are called "sketches" because 1) the software allows you to jump right into coding 2) it is easy to try new stuff and 3) it is easy to share your work.

Processing is based in the JavaScript programming language which is what you will use in the next course after Playgramming in the programming sequence, Practical Scripting for Games. You can use JavaScript to program games in Unity, the game engine used in Practical Scripting for Games, as well as Game Modification Workshop, and many Game Capstone projects senior year.